Desmond Straughton on Michigan State: '(Jonathan Smith) made it feel like home'
According to multiple recruiting services, the Michigan State Spartans are the overwhelming favorites to land Roseville (Michigan) three-star athlete/safety Desmond Straughton.
And while there's plenty of reason to believe that's true, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound defender has seen his recruitment altered slightly in the transition with the Michigan State coaching staff.
Just prior to the February dead period, Straughton took an unofficial visit to East Lansing to continue to build his relationship to coach Jonathan Smith staff.
“It was good - just reconnecting with all of the coaches again," he said. "After the coaching change, I’m trying to build the bond like I had with the old coaching staff.”
Admittedly, it was an adjustment that was challenging for Straughton at first.
“It was a little hard in the beginning, because I was texting a coach and he got let go," he said. "So, communication stopped for a second, but the new (defensive back) coach picked up where they left off and reached out and came to my school.”
That would be Blue Adams, tasked with leading the Michigan State secondary.
With that relationship beginning to blossom, Straughton's visit game him a chance to meet up with Smith.
"Coach Blue came up to my school a few weeks before that and met me and my mom," he said. "We would text before I got up there and just re-connected. Talking to Coach Smith, he was making it feel like that’s somewhere I could go when I make a decision. He made it feel like home.”
Still, Straughton's recruitment still has a ways to go.
“I want to make my decision around July… so a couple of months,” he said. “Actually, I probably the 4th of July. That’s my sister’s birthday.”
Before that, Straughton intends to visit Arizona State, Cincinnati, Minnesota and possibly others.
“I want to take in all of these spring practices, feel out these programs and see how the coaches are and then make a decision soon," he said.
Clearly, Michigan State is going to be a contender, and time will tell if one of the others can surge with a solid spring visit and become another team-to-beat.
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